A swinging optimistic start to Trio in Motion on 'Wonder Why,' one of the great jazz pianists showing his interpretative elegance. Alan Broadbent is with his New York Notes trio of bassist Harvie S. and drummer Billy Mintz.

Mintz swings hard on 'Lennie's Pennies' and Harvie S. thumps out his line. It is pretty effective and gives the trio almost a graphic edge. 'Struttin' with Some Barbecue' has a lovely sunny feel once again and sense it on this record that Broadbent is content and happy without being too sentimental or wallowing in the past. The record speaks not of the typically contemporary jazz of 2020 by any means, however, so you might think wrongly that it sounds too much of an overbearing period piece. It is true regardless that Broadbent can see a long way down the road.

Far more ''American sounding'' than some albums that hail from America, if you are into George Shearing you will like this record even if Broadbent has a different sound to the Battersea master that collects together a number of approaches and patches them like a beautifully decorative quilt. A little Erroll Garner, although some might say Dave Brubeck's influence is in there too, certainly on the Paul Desmond tune 'Late Lament', is evident.

Into the blue Broadbent knows the trick of making laughter sound like crying. He somehow communes with past masters like dancers in the dark, Broadbent long ago became his own man and his arranging is as well known, even more so, than all this immaculate playing. It's glass half full, and a pleasure to imbibe. Out now on Savant.